Ebola Virus Table Top Exercise Colleges and Universities

Revised: November 24, 2014

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Purpose

To provide participants an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans and capabilities in response to a possible outbreak of a viral disease with high mortality .

Objectives

3 Improve preparedness response within school settings for students with possible exposure to the Ebola Virus.

• Evaluate staff’s ability to use Outpatient Facility Triage Guidance for Ebola and MERS-CoV • Evaluate the staff’s ability to appropriately isolate potentially infectious students • Evaluate student, staff, and visitor safety procedures • Evaluate communication, notification, and reunification plans

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Exercise Instructions

• This is an exercise based on a possible event • Process the information just as you would in a real-life incident. Avoid the temptation to “solve” the entire scenario.

• There is no “hidden agenda” or any trick questions.

• Participation is the key to making this exercise a success.

• Feel free to make valid assumptions based on the information provided.

• Respond based on your knowledge of current plans and capabilities (you may use only existing assets).

Rules of Engagement

5 • This is an open, low-stress, no-fault environment.

• Offer any suggestions or recommended actions that could improve response and preparedness efforts.

• Be respectful of others as varying viewpoints, even disagreements, may occur.

Scenario – Part 1

A 19 year old female student presents to the school clinic. The student complains of a stomach ache, a sore throat and feels warm to the touch. The nurse places the student on a cot with a basin and a cool cloth. She quickly finishes with another student she is assisting then returns to perform an assessment on the 19 year old female. Upon physical exam, she records an oral temperature of 102.1

°F, notes red, swollen tonsils and abdominal tenderness. After collecting a complete medical history on the patient, the nurse learns her roommate has traveled to eastern Africa. 6

Discussion – Part 1

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Use the Ebola Assessment Guide in the situation manual to determine the next action steps.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What travel history questions would you ask the patient about the roommate that traveled to Africa?

What symptom-related questions would you ask the patient about the traveler?

What action would you take with the 19 year old student? What action would you take with the student that was in the clinic room when the 19 year old was brought in?

Would you be suspecting Ebola Virus Disease at this point?

Should anyone else be contacted at this point with the information you have?

15 Minutes for Discussion

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Scenario – Part 2

After further questioning, the nurse learns that the student’s roommate recently traveled to Africa, arriving back in Tennessee about two weeks ago. The roommate has not been feeling well the past couple of days and has a low grade fever of 99.9

 . However, the student cannot recall the exact country of travel of her roommate. The nurse decides to call the roommate to find out exact travel information.

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Discussion – Part 2

1. What isolation procedures would be enacted for the student?

2. Who needs to be contacted with this information?

3. What action would be taken with regard to the other students, parents, staff, and visitors, and who would be responsible (e.g., communication)?

4. What personal protective equipment (PPE) measures would be considered? a) If PPE use is chosen, what instructions should be required regarding its use?

b) How would you determine the current inventory of PPE? 5. How would you prepare the student for transport?

6. How would you continue normal school clinic operations?

30 Minutes for Discussion

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Scenario/Discussion – Part 3

While waiting to be transported the student becomes sick and vomits in her basin. The custodian was called to clean. 1. What isolation procedures would be enacted?

2. How would you manage and dispose of student waste?

10 Minutes for Discussion

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Scenario/Discussion – Part 4

It was determined that the roommate traveled to Kenya for safari and is no longer ill. The fever was due to a mild viral illness. The 19 year old female student was diagnosed with strep throat. 1. How would you prepare for the student’s re-entry to school? 2. What are your policies on bullying and discrimination to avoid isolating, stigmatizing or harassing students?

5 Minutes for Discussion

Additional Items to Consider

Does your current plan address the following?

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2.

3.

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5.

Fear and stigma are often common human reactions, how would you address the concerns, both internal (e.g., students, parents and/or personnel) and external (e.g., media, community etc.)? What agencies/individuals should be expected to arrive on scene? Is contact information for various agencies posted?

What action should be taken to limit other visitors coming or going while awaiting emergency services/health authorities? Should any action be taken to limit student movement inside the building or may they continue their usual routine?

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Additional Items to Consider (Cont.)

6.

What should be done regarding student and staff dismissal?

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8.

Why should HVAC units and fans not be turned off?

How would security be addressed? 9.

Are instructions and training for proper mixing of disinfectants available to appropriate staff?

10. Are materials in student sick area easily disinfected or do they need to be discarded when contaminated?

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Hotwash

After Action

Please complete the survey at this link:

https://redcap.health.tn.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=kfhdnQwra6 Results and lessons learned will be shared statewide.

Please call the TDH Emergency Preparedness Program for more information or supporting documents for this exercise series (615) 741-7247.

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